Song premiere: Grandmaster introduce latest single Castle Door
The Austin masked crusaders Grandmaster have released their newest single, “Castle Door.” The new release comes ahead of the band’s upcoming debut record, due out this Spring. The new single is produced by fellow Austin mainstay Nolan Potter of Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band, who also lent his hand to engineer the Grandmaster Orchestra’s upcoming full-length debut.
Grandmaster features members from some of the Austin scene’s most coveted acts. These include but are not limited to, Acid Carousel, Hey Cowboy, Billy Glitter, Sexpop, and more. With countless musicians from various musical backgrounds, the Austin ensemble takes influences from the 60s and 70s likes of Joe Cocker, with extended jam sessions that might remind listeners of the progressive rock greats of the same era. “Who’s that knocking…On the castle door?” The chorus goes, as the swooning hook soars over the guitar towards a rapturous crescendo.
Even before Grandmaster started dropping these new tunes, the live shows made them an attraction of their own, showing them painting their world with creativity that knows no limits. With each live performance, the band appears wearing matching suits, gloves, hats, and the same eye-covering film that shows uniformity and devotion to the band’s esteemed leader, the Grandmaster. The shows include dueling keyboards, synths, shredding guitars, and a rhythm section that ties what feels like a mythical big band that acts as a tour guide on a vision quest to discover one’s true being and doing it all while having tons of undeniable fun. The shows also include a ceremonial appearance from the mighty Grandmaster, honoring the audience with his presence by performing a sick guitar solo in the middle of the crowd, usually leaving spectators in utmost awe during its showcasing.
“Thematically, we all live in this castle with The Grandmaster. It’s similar to an orphanage. Different authority figures knock on the door, and we’re declining their suggestions because The Grandmaster is our only authority figure. He can’t be surpassed by anyone. It’s also a day in the life of the Zealots. If you come in, this is what you’re signing up for.” a representative of the Grandmaster says.
The musicianship that beholds Grandmaster is nothing to understate. Even though the ensemble is a big one, all members of the group are shown in perfect sync, often showing their animatedness as it relates to the story foretold through the band’s live shows. The followers of the Grandmaster are fearless adventurers who fight their way through every treachery. When Grandmaster emerges from the shadows to perform, a rock n roll quest will indeed be had, and the adventures are just beginning.
Stream “Castle Door” wherever you get your music and attend their live show- after all, these are the Grandmaster’s orders.
Grandmaster has also announced their album release show, which will take place at the world-famous Paramount Theatre in Downtown Austin on May 4. The evening will also feature performances from Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band and Dodo. Tickets are on sale now and are available here.
Featured photo by Morgan Brown
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